Taylor visited Vicarage Road three times last season, producing mixed results for the Hornets — Watford beat Everton 1-0, lost 6-0 to Manchester City and drew 3-3 with Liverpool under Taylor’s judgement. The FIFA listed referee also took charge of Watford’s 5-0 thrashing by the Reds at Anfield.

After two years in the Northern Premier League, Taylor earned a place as a fifth tier referee in 2004 and gradually worked his way up the leagues, eventually becoming a recognised Premier league official in 2010.

The 39-year old has produced just three bookings so far this season, with all of those coming on the opening day. His fouls per tackle ratio — at 0.55 — is below the league average of 0.63. This, coupled with the lack of yellow cards Taylor has given, suggests he will employ a lenient approach towards the physical football we will likely see from both Watford and Crystal Palace on Sunday.